Today in History (April 3^rd,1680)

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the founder of the Maratha Kingdom, passed away at Raigarh fort.

Summary of Today’s News

LS passes Waqf Bill after a long debate

• Lok Sabha Debate: The Waqf (Amendment) Bill was passed after a marathon debate that extended past midnight.
• Opposition’s Reaction: Several amendments proposed by the Opposition were rejected; AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi symbolically tore a copy of the Bill.
• Assurances: Amit Shah assured the Muslim community that the Bill does not interfere with religious practices.
• Accusations: Shah accused the Opposition of fear-mongering for vote bank politics.
• Bill’s Focus: Rijiju emphasized that the Bill is about property management, not religion.
• Amendments: The new law specifies that only practicing Muslims for over five years can donate to Waqf.
• Administrative Changes: Non-Muslims included in Waqf Boards for administrative purposes.
• Historical Context: Shah referenced past controversies like CAA and Article 370 to counter Opposition claims.
• Government’s Stance: Modi government claims to focus on performance rather than vote bank politics.

Speaker cannot be ‘indecisive’ on pleas over defection: The Apex Court

• Case Context: Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leaders filed petitions seeking action against 10 MLAs who defected to the ruling Congress party in Telangana.
• Supreme Court’s Stand: The SC emphasized it is not powerless if a Speaker remains indecisive on disqualification petitions.
• Speaker’s Role: Justice B.R. Gavai stated that indecision by a Speaker undermines the anti-defection law’s objectives.
• Judicial Authority: Courts cannot dictate the Speaker’s decision but can urge them to act within a reasonable timeframe.
• Key Question: Whether constitutional courts can direct Speakers to resolve anti-defection petitions within a specified period.
• Arguments Presented: Advocates Mukul Rohatgi and Sravan Kumar argued courts could request timely action but not impose strict deadlines.
• Respondents: Telangana government, State Assembly Speaker, Secretary of the Assembly, and Election Commission were among the respondents.
• Justice Gavai’s Concern: Highlighted the potential paralysis of courts if Speakers delay decisions for years.
• Legal Debate: Explored the balance between judicial oversight and the autonomy of constitutional bodies.

CAA gave citizenship to thousands, says Rai; Immigration and Foreigners Bill gets RS nod

• Citizenship Under CAA: Minister Nityanand Rai stated that “thousands” were granted citizenship under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019, but did not specify the exact number.
• Implementation Timeline: The Act was passed in 2019, but its Rules were only notified on March 11, 2024.
• Data Transparency: The government has not shared or publicized data on CAA citizenships.
• Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025: Passed by the Lok Sabha and later by a voice vote in the Rajya Sabha, despite Opposition demands for scrutiny by a select committee.
• Government’s Stance: Rai emphasized that the Bill is not against foreigners but aims to track their movement and maintain a database.
• Deportation Figures: The government has deported 36,000 “infiltrators” so far.
• Opposition’s Criticism: Congress’s Abhishek Manu Singhvi criticized the Bill as Orwellian and fear-inducing, targeting foreigners as “suspicious.”
• Concerns Over Future Laws: Singhvi warned that similar laws could target Indians in the future.
• CPI’s Perspective: Sandosh Kumar P. highlighted the need to differentiate between foreigners and illegal migrants, urging the Bill to be sent to a select committee.
• AAP’s Question: Sanjay Singh questioned the Border Security Force’s role in preventing illegal immigration from Bangladesh.

Bangladesh’s Mohammad Yunus visited China and showed anti-India mentality

• Remarks by Yunus: Bangladesh Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus made controversial comments during his visit to China for the Boao Forum for Asia conference.
• Connectivity Concerns: Yunus referred to India’s north-eastern States as “land-locked” and claimed Bangladesh was the “guardian of ocean access.”
• Proposal to China: He suggested viewing Indian States, Bhutan, Nepal, and Bangladesh as an “extension of the Chinese economy.”
• India’s Reaction: His remarks sparked sharp responses in India, with political leaders calling them offensive and insensitive.
• Diplomatic Snub: Yunus’s visit to China, without an invitation from New Delhi, was perceived as a shift in Bangladesh’s foreign policy orientation.
• Political Criticism: Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma condemned the comments, suggesting they highlighted India’s strategic vulnerability.
• Timing and Sensitivity: Yunus’s remarks were criticized for their lack of sensitivity and poor timing, given regional tensions.
• Alternative Platform: The BIMSTEC summit in Thailand was suggested as a more appropriate venue for such discussions.
• India’s Outreach: Yunus received letters from President Murmu and PM Modi, extending greetings and marking Bangladesh’s Independence Day.
• Hope for Dialogue: It is anticipated that Modi and Yunus may engage on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC summit to address strained ties.

Ahead of BIMSTEC summit in Bangkok, doubts persist over Modi-Yunus meeting

• 6th BIMSTEC Summit: Scheduled for April 4 in Bangkok, Thailand, marking the first in-person summit since the pandemic.
• Focus on Modi-Yunus Meeting: Speculation surrounds a potential meeting between PM Narendra Modi and Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Prof. Mohammed Yunus on the sidelines.
• Bangladesh’s Statement: Foreign Secretary Jashim Uddin indicated a meeting is planned, but India’s Ministry of External Affairs has not confirmed it.
• Summit Theme: The theme is “prosperous, resilient, and open BIMSTEC,” with plans to adopt the Declaration of the 5th BIMSTEC.
• Maritime Cooperation: Member states are expected to sign an agreement on maritime transport cooperation.
• PM Modi’s Schedule: Includes meetings with Thai PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn, and a state visit to Colombo from April 4 to 6.
• Myanmar Earthquake: The summit occurs against the backdrop of a recent devastating earthquake in Myanmar.
• BIMSTEC Charter: A common charter was finalized in 2022, but bilateral relations among member countries remain strained.
• Regional Tensions: Bangladesh-Myanmar ties are affected by the Rohingya crisis, and India-Bangladesh relations have been uncertain since Sheikh Hasina’s removal in 2024.